- I have Gillian - I've known her for just more than a quarter of my life. The best quarter. She amazes me in a hundred ways.
- I have Cheryn who has taught me that my children can be interesting as people in their own right.
- I have Zeek. He's a boy that every dad would be proud of. He has strength with kindness and caring.
- I have a Rachel. Everybody should have one. She's cute and determined.
- I have Corbin - I don't know what goes on in his head. But I like the thinking.
- I have work. It pays the bills, we eat every day and we live warm and comfortable. It's varied, interesting and challenging. I work with someone who constantly stimulates my thinking.
- I'm healthy, in good shape and my body lets me do pretty much everything I want with it.
Wednesday 25 February 2009
The things I have
I was thinking of everything I don't have then I realized how much I do have:
Monday 23 February 2009
Snow in Feb
We did have some snow this month. And of course it started falling in earnest on the day I was meant to fly to England. Fortunately it was not enough to disrupt my flight.
But it was enough for Rachel and Corbin to make a snow man.
But it was enough for Rachel and Corbin to make a snow man.
No hats in the house
Didn't you know that it is bad manners to wear a hat in the house. But does the hood from your coat count?
Wednesday 18 February 2009
Day two, three and four on the Isle of Wight
The next three days was really a whirl of schools and neighbourhoods. We went to a movie night at the ward on Tuesday evening and I really enjoyed it. It was a film about Emma Smith and her life, what an amazing woman, elect.
Two of the high schools we viewed were... what word best describes them... ANARCHY. Now to be fair, we did view both of these near to the end of the day and students do get rowdy as the day goes on, and it could also have been a bad day in amongst other great days, but... we were not impressed at all.
There were two schools that I really liked though, Sandown High and Carisbrooke High. Both were Sports sponsored schools that I would happily send my children to.
I preferred Carisbrooke though because they had such a sensible uniform. You know how the girls roll up their skirts, and the girls and boys wear their ties huge, short and with the top button undone. So Carisbrooke decided that all the girls could wear black trousers (no jeans though) a polo shirt, a fleece top and no high heeled shoes, but black, and no ties. Finally someone used their head and came up with a sensible solution. And as a result all of the children looked neat and tidy.
The primary and middle schools (they are changing to the traditional primary and high-two tier system in 2010) were all good, much of a muchness really. Like private primary schools in SA for those of you who want a point of reference.
There were a couple of neighbourhoods that I really liked and would be perfectly happy living in. (These pics aren't necessarily the neighbourhoods, but they are some of the places we went)
On the South side of the Island there were actually waves and I saw two guys out surfing, and I thought of how Pete would like that.
The island was absolutely packed with things to do. If I picked one thing every weekend it would probably take two years to go and see and do all the things on offer.
There is a bus and train service that covers the whole island, so there wouldn't be and transport issues either.
All in all I liked it. And I think so did Angela. So... Watch this space, no decisions are final yet.
Oh and by the way, after that holiday, we needed another one!
Two of the high schools we viewed were... what word best describes them... ANARCHY. Now to be fair, we did view both of these near to the end of the day and students do get rowdy as the day goes on, and it could also have been a bad day in amongst other great days, but... we were not impressed at all.
There were two schools that I really liked though, Sandown High and Carisbrooke High. Both were Sports sponsored schools that I would happily send my children to.
I preferred Carisbrooke though because they had such a sensible uniform. You know how the girls roll up their skirts, and the girls and boys wear their ties huge, short and with the top button undone. So Carisbrooke decided that all the girls could wear black trousers (no jeans though) a polo shirt, a fleece top and no high heeled shoes, but black, and no ties. Finally someone used their head and came up with a sensible solution. And as a result all of the children looked neat and tidy.
The primary and middle schools (they are changing to the traditional primary and high-two tier system in 2010) were all good, much of a muchness really. Like private primary schools in SA for those of you who want a point of reference.
There were a couple of neighbourhoods that I really liked and would be perfectly happy living in. (These pics aren't necessarily the neighbourhoods, but they are some of the places we went)
On the South side of the Island there were actually waves and I saw two guys out surfing, and I thought of how Pete would like that.
The island was absolutely packed with things to do. If I picked one thing every weekend it would probably take two years to go and see and do all the things on offer.There is a bus and train service that covers the whole island, so there wouldn't be and transport issues either.
All in all I liked it. And I think so did Angela. So... Watch this space, no decisions are final yet.
Oh and by the way, after that holiday, we needed another one!
Tuesday 17 February 2009
First day on the Isle of Wight
Angela and I went off to the Isle of Wight for 4 days. Our purpose in going was to see if it was worth considering moving there.
The Western point of the island is called Freshwater.
Angela and Patrick went there last Summer for a holiday and got the idea then that it might be lovely to move there. Then they told us about it and I started thinking that it might be nice. But the thinking and wandering was too much for me, I needed to see.
So I flew to Angela's house on Sunday night, arrived at 23.00, chatted until 00.00 then woke up at 03.00 to drive down to the ferry terminal. Despite the lack of sleep we were in good spirits, and excited. (and we only just got onto the ferry, we arrived 3 min. before departure, phew that was cutting it really close)
A blurry pic because the ferry was vibrating and the camera was resting on the chair.
Anyway, we got to the Bishop's house where we had arranged to stay. (And again a big thank you to Bishop and Sis Ellis for having us in their home.) Dropped off our bags, chatted a bit and then we were off to explore.
It rained, and rained, and rained. But what can you expect in Britain? We drove over to Ryde first. There is a really long pier that goes out into the sea, which takes you to the fast cat ferry, for foot passengers only. The pier has to be so long because the sea bed is flat for a long way out. I couldn't believe how fast this ferry was, now you see it now you don't. There is a train that takes you all the way to the end of the pier, so convinient.
And then there is also the hover craft, it just ramps up onto the beach.
Then we drove up to Cowes, I think it is the sailing capital of the world, but I may stand corrected.
Loads of masts, loads of marinas, very bustling and vibrant.
Once we had been there we went off to Newport, we parked the car and as Angela is walking away she notices a bulge on the front tire. GRRRRR. How murphies law is that! So it was off to the local tyre repair place and a two hour wait. We spent the two hours in various shops, and were completely satisfied that there is nothing you can't get on this island, all the major shops are there.
And then as evening descended upon us we decided to drive home using the most direct rout. Big mistake, you know how a sat nav will take you the smallest roads it can find? Well we landed up on Burnt House Lane. Except after the rains of the day I re-named it Big River Lane. This video was taken in the more shallow part of the road, I was too nervous to record in the really rivery bits.
When we got back we were welcomed by a delicious supper and warm beds. Quite and eventful first day.
The Western point of the island is called Freshwater.Angela and Patrick went there last Summer for a holiday and got the idea then that it might be lovely to move there. Then they told us about it and I started thinking that it might be nice. But the thinking and wandering was too much for me, I needed to see.
So I flew to Angela's house on Sunday night, arrived at 23.00, chatted until 00.00 then woke up at 03.00 to drive down to the ferry terminal. Despite the lack of sleep we were in good spirits, and excited. (and we only just got onto the ferry, we arrived 3 min. before departure, phew that was cutting it really close)
A blurry pic because the ferry was vibrating and the camera was resting on the chair.Anyway, we got to the Bishop's house where we had arranged to stay. (And again a big thank you to Bishop and Sis Ellis for having us in their home.) Dropped off our bags, chatted a bit and then we were off to explore.
It rained, and rained, and rained. But what can you expect in Britain? We drove over to Ryde first. There is a really long pier that goes out into the sea, which takes you to the fast cat ferry, for foot passengers only. The pier has to be so long because the sea bed is flat for a long way out. I couldn't believe how fast this ferry was, now you see it now you don't. There is a train that takes you all the way to the end of the pier, so convinient.
And then there is also the hover craft, it just ramps up onto the beach.
Then we drove up to Cowes, I think it is the sailing capital of the world, but I may stand corrected.
Loads of masts, loads of marinas, very bustling and vibrant.
Once we had been there we went off to Newport, we parked the car and as Angela is walking away she notices a bulge on the front tire. GRRRRR. How murphies law is that! So it was off to the local tyre repair place and a two hour wait. We spent the two hours in various shops, and were completely satisfied that there is nothing you can't get on this island, all the major shops are there. And then as evening descended upon us we decided to drive home using the most direct rout. Big mistake, you know how a sat nav will take you the smallest roads it can find? Well we landed up on Burnt House Lane. Except after the rains of the day I re-named it Big River Lane. This video was taken in the more shallow part of the road, I was too nervous to record in the really rivery bits.
When we got back we were welcomed by a delicious supper and warm beds. Quite and eventful first day.
Saturday 14 February 2009
more photos from ice-skating
These pics were taken on my mobile, so they aren't very good, but they capture what was happening.
Wednesday 11 February 2009
Eating supper is far more fun when Mom's away
"Guess what Dad. Buy one get one free at Tesco".Last I saw he had managed 7 of his 10 and Rach had eaten 6 of her pile.
Tuesday 10 February 2009
Did you got a visa?
Reflecting the integrity of the South African government's department of home affairs. South Africa now leaves the list of countries freely welcome in the UK and joins the likes of
in requiring a visa to visit the UK.
http://ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/press-release/11898044/13313149/new-visa-requirement-for-uk
So, if you're planning on a visit please get the paperwork in early.
Cheers
Pete
| Afghanistan | Gambia | Nigeria |
| Albania | Georgia | Oman |
| Algeria | Ghana | Pakistan |
| Angola | Guinea | Peru |
| Armenia | Guinea Bissau | Palestinian Authority |
| Azerbaijan | Guyana | Philippines |
| Bahrain | Haiti | Qatar |
| Bangladesh | India | Russia |
| Belarus | Indonesia | Rwanda |
| Benin | Iran | Sao Tome & Principe |
| Bhutan | Iraq | Saudi Arabia |
| Bosnia-Herzegovina | Ivory Coast | Senegal |
| Burkina Faso | Jamaica | Serbia |
| Burma (Myanmar) | Jordan | Sierra Leone |
| Burundi | Kazakhstan | Somalia |
| Cambodia | Kenya | Sri Lanka |
in requiring a visa to visit the UK.
http://ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/press-release/11898044/13313149/new-visa-requirement-for-uk
So, if you're planning on a visit please get the paperwork in early.
Cheers
Pete
Sunday 8 February 2009
Ice Skating
The unique damp smell of an ice rink transported me across the world and a quarter of a century to Sterland in Pretoria. The same shivers from the ice and nervousness. Am I going to fall, will it hurt and will I look stupid? Experience says "Yes" to all three.We took the kids there on Saturday. Cheryn flew like a future Torvill and Dean .Zeek looked surprised that his Dad could do anything better than him and Corbin eventually figured out that it was very different to walking.
Holiday for me
I am off to the Isle of Wight for a week with Angela (my sister). I am looking forward to this. I am sure to have loads of pics and things to say about it when I get back.
See you in a week.
See you in a week.
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